6th March, 2022
By Shedrack Frank
The Bayelsa state government has announced a new package of match-winning bonuses and allowances for players and officials of its premier league side, Bayelsa United, as the 2022 Nigerian league season heats up.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this known at a special dinner to motivate the players, technical crew, and coaching staff of the team, at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Onopa, Yenagoa, on Saturday.
This is contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi.
In announcing the bonuses, the deputy governor specified that the team would receive N1.5 million for every league game won in the current season; while each goal-scorer is to go home with N200, 000.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ewhrudjakpo disclosed that for each goal scored, the first assist would get N150, 000; while the second and third assists would cart home N100, 000 each.
He thanked the Bayelsa United players and officials for making the state proud by flying the state’s flag at the continental level in 2021, after failing to do so for several years.
Ewhrudjakpo also appreciated the team for winning the 2021 Aiteo Cup and charged them to again win the league trophy this year.
According to him, both the state government and the management of Bayelsa United had to cover up the gaps which denied the Yenagoa-based side laurels in their last continental outing.
Earlier, in his remarks of welcome, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s office, Barr. Alex Dumbo, said the dinner was specifically organised to enable the deputy governor interact freely with players and officials of the team.
He said the dinner was also to serve as a platform to motivate them to fly high in the ongoing football season.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Bayelsa United, Mr Ebiki Timitimi, thanked the deputy governor for organising the special dinner for the team.
Timitimi, who described the deputy governor as a true leader, assured that the team would secure the much-needed victories in their subsequent league matches beginning from their home game against visiting Rocket 1 FC of Oyo.
The high point of the dinner was the cutting of a birthday cake in honour of the Chairman of Bayelsa United, Mr. Timitimi.
Other top government functionaries present at the dinner included the Commissioner for Special Duties (Bayelsa Central), Mr Flint George, Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Peter Singabele.
The Director of Human Resources Management, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Mrs. Grace Alagoa, represented the Commissioner, Hon Daniel Igali, amongst others. (NAN)